Resource Advisory Committee Announces 2015 ProjectsHamilton, Montana (July 10, 2015)–The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) has approved 8 projects for funding. All of the projects will benefit National Forest System lands and ecosystems in Ravalli County. All total, the committee allocated nearly $180,000 in project funding. The funds will support a wide diversity of projects in the Bitterroot Valley including replacing a stock bridge in Blodgett Canyon, fighting and eradicating invasive weeds, reducing river sediment, and maintaining and staffing the historic St. Mary Peak Lookout, just to name a few. The following projects were approved:Project Funding1.Bitterroot Culture Camp Stewardship Project – Bitter Root RC&D $4,3002.B.E.A.R. Camping Club – B.E.A.R. $6,8803.Rebuild & Maintain Ropes Course – Trapper Creek Job Corps $10,000 4.Sediment Reduction on the East Fork – Bitterroot Water Forum $10,3905.Rye Creek Road Surface Stabilization – Ravalli County Road Dept. $15,0006.St. Mary Peak Lookout Stewardship – Selway-Bitterroot Foundation $17,4357.Rush Skeleton Weed Eradication – Ravalli County Weed District $50,0008.Blodgett Trail Bridge Replacement – Montana Conservation Corps $63,927Total: $177,932Since 2001, the RAC has approved more than $2 million in funding for projects that benefit National Forest system lands in Ravalli County.RAC projects must meet established criteria and improve federal lands in the following areas: roads, trails, infrastructure maintenance, soil and forest ecosystem health, watershed restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat, control of noxious weeds, and re-establishment of native species. At least 50 percent of all project funds are dedicated to restoring streams and watersheds; or road maintenance, decommissioning or removal. Projects may be on private land, but must show a direct benefit to National Forest System lands. Resource Advisory Committees were established in 2000 under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. In addition to approving project funding, the RAC is also dedicated to improving collaborative relationships. For more information contact Ryan Domsalla at the West Fork Ranger District at(406) 821-3269. Stay in touch with us throughwww.facebook.com/DiscoverTheBitterrootandwww.twitter.com/BitterrootNF.

Hamilton, MT. - The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is now accepting new project proposals from the public. The application deadline is by close of business onMay 15, 2015.Projects must benefit National Forest System lands and ecosystems in Ravalli County. Projects must meet established criteria and improve federal lands in the following areas: roads and trails, infrastructure maintenance, soil and forest ecosystem health, watershed restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat, control of noxious weeds, and re-establishment of native species. At least 50% of all project funds are dedicated to restoring streams and watersheds; or road maintenance, decommissioning or removal. Projects may be on private land, but must show a direct benefit to National Forest System lands. Project applications are available online on the Bitterroot National Forest website at:http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/bitterroot/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.For more information about the Secure Rural School (SRS) Act, visit the SRS website at:http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/homeFor more information or details on submitting a project proposal please contact RAC Committee Coordinator Joni Lubke at(406) 363-7182.

Hamilton, MT. - The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is now accepting new project proposals from the public. The application deadline is February 28, 2014 and the committee has approximately $190,000 in project funding to award.Projects must benefit National Forest System lands and ecosystems in Ravalli County. Projects must meet established criteria and improve federal lands in the following areas: roads and trails, infrastructure maintenance, soil and forest ecosystem health, watershed restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat, control of noxious weeds, and re-establishment of native species. At least 50% of all project funds are dedicated to restoring streams and watersheds; or road maintenance, decommissioning or removal. Projects may be on private land, but must show a direct benefit to National Forest System lands. Project applications are available online by visiting the Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee for Ravalli County athttps://fsplaces.fs.fed.us/fsfiles/unit/wo/secure_rural_schools.nsf/RAC/Ravalli+County and click on the Propose a Title II Project link. You can also find it on the Bitterroot National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot . For more information or details on submitting a project proposal please contact RAC Committee Coordinator Joni Lubke at (406) 363-7182.

Hamilton, MT. – Citizens interested in serving on the Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) have until January 15th to submit their application. The Bitterroot National Forest is seeking to fill six positions on the RAC. The committee consists of 18 members representing a wide array of interests. The purpose of the RAC is to propose projects that benefit National Forest system lands and ecosystems in Ravalli County, improve collaborative relationships, and provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service.“We’re encouraging people with energy and commitment to get their applications in to us by January 15th,” said Dan Ritter, Stevensville District Ranger. “If you’re interested in working collaboratively with a diverse group of people on projects and issues that benefit our National Forest and public lands, then the RAC is for you.” Committee members serve a four-year term without compensation. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Forest Supervisor’s office in Hamilton. Prospective members are advised that membership on the RAC requires a substantial commitment of time and energy. Applicants will be evaluated on their education, experience working with the interest area they represent, their knowledge of the geographic area, and their contribution to the balance and diversity of the RAC.Since 2001, the RAC has approved more than $1.6 million in funding for projects that benefit National Forest system lands in Ravalli County. Applications are available online atwww.fs.usda.gov/bitterrootor at any Bitterroot National Forest office. Applications must be signed and are due by January 15, 2013. For more information, contact Dan Ritter at(406) 777-5461.

Hamilton, MT. - The Bitterroot National Forest is seeking to fill six positions on the Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC consists of 18 members representing a wide array of interests. The purpose of the RAC is to propose projects that benefit National Forest system lands and ecosystems in Ravalli County, improve collaborative relationships, and provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service. “We’re looking for people with the energy and commitment to work collaboratively with diverse interests on issues and projects that benefit resources on the Bitterroot National Forest” said Dan Ritter, Stevensville District Ranger. Committee members serve a four-year term without compensation. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Forest Supervisor’s office in Hamilton. Prospective members are advised that membership on the RAC requires a substantial commitment of time and energy. RAC membership is balanced and diverse with equal representation from industry, environmental groups, elected officials, and other local interests. The Secretary of Agriculture makes the final membership appointments to the RAC. Applicants will be evaluated on their education, training and experience working with the interest area they represent, their knowledge of the geographic area, and their contribution to the balance and diversity of the RAC. Resource Advisory Committees were established in 2000 under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. In addition to approving projects, the RAC is dedicated to improving collaborative relationships. Since 2001, the RAC has approved more than $1.6 million in funding for projects that benefit National Forest system lands in Ravalli County. Applications are available online at www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot or at any Bitterroot National Forest office. Applications must be signed and are due by January 15, 2013. For more information, contact Joni Lubke at (406) 363-7182.

ROCKSLIDE TO BE CLEARED ON BLODGETT PASS TRAIL Hamilton, MT. – The Stevensville Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest has announced that crews will begin work next week on the Blodgett Pass Trail #310. The work is scheduled to begin July 31 and will last until mid-September. Crews are planning to begin the massive job of clearing a large rockslide from 2010 that blocked the trail near the top of the pass. Since the slide, the trail has been impassable to stock and difficult and dangerous for hikers to navigate. The slide is approximately 11 miles from the popular Blodgett Creek Trailhead. The project will consist of crews moving huge rocks, some the size of pickup trucks, by hand, rigging, or blasting. The rock will then be used to rebuild portions of the trail including retaining walls, water bars and check dams. The Blodgett Pass Trail crosses from Montana into Idaho and provides access to many popular wilderness trails and high mountain lakes. To provide for visitor safety, Blodgett Pass Trail will be closed during the project. The Blodgett Creek Trail #19 will remain open and hikers will still be able to access Blodgett Lake. However, forest officials are warning that there could be minimal delays near mile post 9, especially during blasting operations. The work is being funded by the Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) which supports projects that benefit National Forest System lands and ecosystems in Ravalli County. The work is being done by a crew from the Montana Conservation Corps (MCC). Project partners also include Selway-Pintler Wilderness Backcountry Horsemen. For more information contact the West Fork Ranger District at (406) 821-3269.

RAC COMMITTEE SEEKING NEW PROJECTS TO FUNDHamilton, MT. - The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is now accepting new project proposals from the public. The application deadline is August 10, 2012 and the committee has approximately $200,000 in project funding to award.Projects must benefit National Forest System lands and ecosystems in Ravalli County. Projects must meet established criteria and improve federal lands in the following areas: roads and trails, infrastructure maintenance, soil and forest ecosystem health, watershed restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat, control of noxious weeds, and re-establishment of native species. At least 50% of all project funds are dedicated to restoring streams and watersheds; or road maintenance, decommissioning or removal. Projects may be on private land, but must show a direct benefit to National Forest System lands. Project applications are available online by visiting the Bitterroot National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot. For more information or details on submitting a project proposal please contact RAC Committee Coordinator Joni Lubke at (406) 363-7182.

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The Salmon River Mountain Press shares news from federal and state natural resource agencies, environmental, conservation and recreation groups in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The blog delivers the content one news story at a time.